Ernest Lowton

Ernest was the son of Richard and Lily Lowton.
Ernest gave his date of birth as 7 November 1896 when he attested on 20 November 1915
but his age on the 1901 census was given as one year. The only record of a birth to fit the census information is the registration of the birth of an Ernest LAWTON in Nottingham in 1899 (Oct/Nov/Dec). It is likely, therefore, that Ernest was born on 7 November 1899 and thus was only 16 years old when he joined the army.
His father, Richard (b. 1873), was the son of George and Harriet Lowton and married Lily Morley (b. abt. 1874) in Nottingham in 1893 (registered Apr/May/Jun). It appears from the census records that their first child, Harold, was born the same year (registered Jul/Aug/Sep).
In 1901 Richard and Lily were living at 30 Laurel Street, Nottingham, with one-year old Ernest. Their eldest son, Harold, was living with his paternal grandparents, George and Harriet Lowton, at 60 Marple Street, Nottingham.
Richard and Lily were to have two more children, Hettie/Hetty (b. 1904) and Ethel Maud (b. 1907). However, Lily died aged 35 in 1909 (registered Oct/Nov/Dec) and Richard married Beatrice Ellen Schofield in 1910 (registered Apr/May/Jun). Their son, James Richard, was born the same year.
In 1911 they were living at 15 Pipe Street, Nottingham with three of Richard's children by his first marriage - Ernest (12), Hetty (8), Ethel (5) - and James (5 months). Richard's eldest son, Harold (17), now working as a mechanic, was still living with his grandparents at 60 Marple Street.
When Ernest attested in 1915 his family was living at 7 Darby Terrace, Lotus Street, and he gave his next of kin as his father Richard, mother Beatrice Ellen and his sister, Hettie. The family was still living at this address when Ernest was killed in 1917.
When Richard and Beatrice completed a form for the army in May 1919 giving the names of Ernest's surviving blood relatives they named:
Father and mother - Richard and Beatrice Ellen Lowton
Brother - Harold Lowton (24), (-) Marple Street, Nottingham
Half brother - JR Lowton (4)
Sister - Hetty Lowton (13)
Half sisters - Harriet Lowton (8), Maggie Lowton (7) and Louise Lowton (5).
With the exception of Harold who was living on Marple Street the rest of the family was living at 34 Oldham Street, Nottingham.
Hetty died aged 14 in December 1918. Harold married Florence E Makings in 1912 and probably died in 1963 aged 69. Beatrice Ellen (b. abt 1889) probably died in 1961 aged 72 and Richard in 1963 aged 90.

137th Coy. Formerly 32591, Notts and Derby Regiment. According to his service record, when he attested in November 1915 he gave his date of birth as 7 November 1896 and was thus deemed to be aged 19 years 10 days. His service reckoned from 20 November 1915.
He transferred from the Sherwood Foresters into the Machine Gun Corps on 1 January 1916 and embarked for France from Southampton on 16 June 1916, disembarking the following day.
While serving with the Machine Gun Corps at Belton Park, Lincolnshire, he was admonished for ‘overstaying his Pass from 12 midnight 2 April 1916 until 9.30am 3 April 1916 and being absent from employment' and forfeited 1 days’ pay. Two months later he was in France and serving with 124th Company. During the next few months he committed a series of offences. On 21 June 1916 he failed to comply with an order and was awarded 1 day FP No.2. The following month on 18 July 1916 he committed the offence of 'dirty boots on parade' for which he was awarded (-) FP No.2. The same month, on 26 July he was deprived of (-) days pay, for the offence of a dirty rifle on parade. The following month he was deprived of 4 days pay for failing to have ammunition in his pouches when a sentinel on Guard (16 August) and on 18 August he was 'talking to men when a sentry on Guard and chewing on parade' for which he was awarded 10 days FP No.1. He had two short periods in hospital in August and September 1916.
He transferred to 137th Coy on 23 January 1917 and was killed in action six months later. He is buried in Maroc British Cemetery, Grenay (grave ref. II.C.9). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.